Backrest

Abstract

A backrest includes a shell having a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of the central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent the central, spine region. A cushion is disposed over the first support surface. In one aspect, the cushion has a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying the pronounced upper and lower portions of the central, spine region of the underlying shell. In another aspect, a chair includes a backrest as disclosed. Methods of use and assembly also are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A backrest comprising:
 a shell comprising a first, forwardly facing support surface, said support surface comprising horizontally spaced opposite side regions and a central, spine region positioned between said opposite side regions, said central, spine region comprising vertically spaced upper, middle and lower portions, said upper portion of said central, spine region comprising at least a first protuberance extending forwardly from said support surface, and said lower portion of said central, spine region comprising at least a second protuberance extending forwardly from said support surface, wherein said first protuberance is positioned proximate, and extends downwardly from, a top edge of said shell; and 
 a cushion disposed over said first support surface and comprising a top edge positioned proximate said top edge of said shell, said cushion comprising a second, forwardly facing support surface contour configured to visually disguise said first and second protuberances wherein said second support surface is substantially free of any protuberances overlapping said first and second protuberances. 
 
     
     
       2. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said at least said first protuberance comprises a plurality of horizontally spaced ribs. 
     
     
       3. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said at least said second protuberance comprises a plurality of horizontally spaced ribs. 
     
     
       4. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said at least said first protuberance has a greater depth than said at least said second protuberance. 
     
     
       5. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said middle portion of said central, spine region is substantially free of any protuberance. 
     
     
       6. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said middle portion of said central, spine region comprises a third protuberance having a lesser depth than said first and second protuberances. 
     
     
       7. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said opposite side regions comprise at least one third protuberance having a lesser depth than said first and second protuberances. 
     
     
       8. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said central, spine region has a width of between about 2.5 and 3.5 inches. 
     
     
       9. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said first and second protuberances extend forwardly of said opposite side regions. 
     
     
       10. The backrest of  claim 9  wherein said opposite side regions are substantially free of any protuberance. 
     
     
       11. A chair comprising the backrest of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       12. The chair of  claim 11  wherein said backrest is pivotally connected to a base. 
     
     
       13. The chair of  claim 11  further comprising a seat pivotally connected to said base. 
     
     
       14. A backrest comprising:
 a shell comprising a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of said central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent said central, spine region, wherein said spine region extends longitudinally from a top to a bottom of said shell; and 
 a cushion disposed over said first support surface and comprising a top positioned proximate said top of said shell, said cushion comprising a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying said pronounced upper and lower portions of said central, spine region of said underlying shell. 
 
     
     
       15. The backrest of  claim 14  wherein said top of said cushion covers said top of said shell. 
     
     
       16. The backrest of  claim 14  wherein said upper portion comprises a plurality of horizontally spaced ribs. 
     
     
       17. The backrest of  claim 14  wherein said lower portion comprises a plurality of horizontally spaced ribs. 
     
     
       18. The backrest of  claim 14  wherein said upper portion is more pronounced than said lower portion. 
     
     
       19. The backrest of  claim 14  wherein said central, spine region has a width of between about 2.5 and 3.5 inches. 
     
     
       20. A method of supporting a back of a user comprising:
 viewing a front surface of a backrest cushion on a seating structure without discerning any apparent, pronounced support along a central, spine region of said front surface; 
 sitting in said seating structure and pressing against said front surface of said backrest cushion; and 
 providing a pronounced support to at least upper and lower portions of the user's spine, wherein said pronounced support provided to said upper portion is positioned proximate, and extends downwardly from, a top edge of said backrest cushion. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  wherein said providing said pronounced support comprises providing support to said cushion with a shell comprising a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of said central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent said central, spine region. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein said upper portion is more pronounced than said lower portion of said central, spine region. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21  wherein said central, spine region has a width of between about 2.5 and 3.5 inches. 
     
     
       24. A backrest comprising:
 a shell comprising a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along a central, spine region relative to side regions adjacent said central, spine region on opposite sides thereof, wherein said first, forwardly facing support surface includes an upper portion positioned proximate, and extending downwardly from, a top edge of said shell; and 
 a cushion disposed over said first support surface, said cushion comprising a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying said pronounced central, spine region of said underlying shell. 
 
     
     
       25. A backrest comprising:
 a shell comprising a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of said central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent said central, spine region, wherein said upper portion is positioned proximate, and extends downwardly from, a top edge of said shell; and 
 a cushion disposed over said first support surface. 
 
     
     
       26. The backrest of  claim 1  wherein said top edge of said cushion covers said top edge of said shell.